Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle, has criticised Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo over his recent comments promising monetary rewards to areas that deliver the highest votes for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the upcoming November 8 governorship election.

Speaking in reaction to the governor’s remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Epelle described the move as “political rascality”, saying such statements undermine democratic principles and amount to vote inducement disguised as community incentives.

“Unfortunately, that’s very unfortunate. I would describe that, and everybody knows me, I speak my mind. It’s actually political rascality. That’s the only way I can describe it. Soludo should have known better, that that’s not the kind of thing, information you put out there for your people. It’s nothing but inducement that is wearing the cloak of a bait with Naira. It shouldn’t have happened. He shouldn’t have done that.”

Governor Soludo, during an APGA campaign rally in Anambra East Local Government Area, had pledged to reward wards and local governments that deliver the highest number of votes for the ruling party, promising financial incentives.

The comments have sparked widespread criticism from civil society groups, opposition parties, and electoral observers, who view the pledge as a violation of electoral integrity and a threat to free and fair elections.

Epelle, whose organisation advocates for inclusive governance and electoral accountability, stressed that leaders must set higher ethical standards during campaigns. He urged political actors to focus on issues, development, and governance, rather than cash-based incentives.